PHOTO GALLERY | JHA employment, training program celebrates new graduates

A New beginning for Johnstown Residents: Workforce Advancement Program Bears Fruit

In a community striving for revitalization,Johnstown’s commitment to workforce development is making a tangible difference. The city’s innovative workforce advancement program is empowering residents with the skills and resources they need to succeed,leading to a brighter future for individuals and the community as a whole.

“This program helps people lift themselves up and get connected,” says HUD Director Mike Horvath. “To see them, not just celebrate local success, but elevate Johnstown’s successes nationally – it’s incredibly motivating.”

The program’s impact is far-reaching, directly addressing the challenges faced by Johnstown residents seeking to improve their economic prospects. By bringing training directly into neighborhoods, the program removes barriers to access, making opportunities more readily available.

“Bringing this training directly into our Johnstown neighborhoods – turning challenges into solutions,” shares Mike Alberts, Executive Director of the Johnstown Housing Authority. This community-focused approach has garnered national recognition, earning a spot in HUD’s best practice portfolio.

The program’s success story is built on a foundation of collaboration. Senator Bob Casey Jr. recognized the program’s potential and championed its funding. Jeff Dick from PA CareerLink, along with Debra Balog from JARI, have also played a crucial role.

The program’s graduates are living testaments to its effectiveness. Many are pursuing further certifications, opening doors to fulfilling careers. One participant, who previously struggled to balance work, childcare, and transportation, is now pursuing tech training and coding opportunities.

“Readily finding a bus route and a babysitter in the middle of a demanding full-time role simply wasn’t realistic,” they shared. “Now, suddenly, that individual has secured good-paying tech training and dreams of coding opportunities were opened up without compromising their personal necessities.”

Johnstown’s workforce advancement program is not just about providing job training; it’s about empowering individuals to take control of their futures. By addressing the unique challenges faced by residents, the program is creating a ripple effect of positive change throughout the community.

Empowering Johnstown: Workforce Development Program Graduates first Cohort

A recent graduation ceremony at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College marked a triumphant moment for eight individuals who completed a unique workforce development program in Johnstown. These graduates are now poised to embark on exciting new paths, pursuing further education or entering the workforce with skills and confidence. The program, led by JHA Executive Director Mike Alberts, has been hailed as a success, empowering local residents to take control of their futures.

The innovative program, a collaboration between Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, Johnstown Area Regional Industries (JARI), and PA CareerLink, provided participants with a comprehensive curriculum spanning various crucial areas. These included conflict management, job search strategies, interview techniques, Microsoft Office proficiency, life skills management, and even hands-on experiences through robotics bootcamps and tours of cutting-edge manufacturing companies like Kitron and Compass Systems.

Recognizing the unique challenges faced by residents in Johnstown, the program took a bold step by delivering courses directly to public housing community rooms.This strategic decision removed transportation barriers, ensuring accessibility for everyone. The impact of this accessibility is clear, with eight graduates marking a significant milestone. However, the story is even more remarkable when considering that dozens more participants initially enrolled, but chose to pursue employment or choice educational opportunities after quickly finding success through the program. This speaks volumes about the program’s effectiveness in connecting individuals with valuable opportunities.

Dave Grimaldi, JARI’s Director of Workforce Development, shared that several members of the second cohort have already transitioned into further education. They are now pursuing certifications in high-demand fields such as HVAC, emergency medicine, and cybersecurity at Pennsylvania Highlands and other local institutions.

“Bringing training to residents’ familiar surroundings has fully changed the paradigm,” said Alberts.”Graduates like we saw on Friday, those leaving for further certifications, are fantastic examples. Another cohort member told me how readily finding a bus route and a babysitter in the middle of a demanding full-time role simply wasn’t realistic! Now, suddenly, that individual has secured good-paying tech training and dreams of coding; opportunities were opened up without compromising their personal necessities. This underscores the unbelievable benefit of bringing this training directly into our Johnstown neighborhoods.”

The program’s impact extends far beyond its graduates. It has garnered national attention, earning recognition within HUD’s best Practices portfolio. JHA Executive Director mike Alberts expressed his gratitude to the dedicated team behind the program’s success:

“Debra Balog, from my team at JARI, worked tirelessly, along with Jeff Dick from PA CareerLink. But it truly wouldn’t happen without collaboration,” Alberts explained. “Senator Bob Casey and Senator Bob Casey Jr. recognized the potential and championed funding. HUD Director Mike Horvath stated, ‘This program…helps people `lift themselves up and get connected.’ … to see them not just celebrate local success, but elevate Johnstown’s successes nationally…it’s incredibly motivating.”

Empowering Johnstown Through Workforce Development

The Johnstown Housing Authority (JHA) recently celebrated a momentous occasion: the inaugural graduation of its innovative workforce development program.The ceremony,a testament to the program’s success,drew a large crowd of proud families,friends,and community leaders,all eager to witness the culmination of hard work and dedication.

“I’m very proud of every graduate,” Mike Alberts, Executive Director of JHA, shared, his voice filled with pride. “Our goal when developing this program with Penn Highlands, JARI, and PA CareerLink was twofold. First, to directly address the tangible barriers our community members face when trying to access further education or high-paying jobs.Often, things like transportation to training centers or childcare proved insurmountable hurdles,” he explained.

This commitment to breaking down barriers and creating accessible opportunities resonated deeply with national organizations. Former JARI Workforce Development Director Debra balog, who was instrumental in launching the program, emphasized the critical need to address these challenges. “This was one of the best ideas we’ve had for finding quality employees for employers in the area,” she shared,highlighting the program’s impact on both individual lives and the local economy.

The program’s dedication to inclusivity and empowerment aligns perfectly with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)’s mission. In fact, Michael Horvath, HUD Pittsburgh Field Office Director, commended the initiative, stating, “This program has helped people ‘lift themselves up and get them connected.’ congratulations to the graduates and the collaborators who made this work possible.” This recognition solidified the program’s status as a best practice, a distinction awarded annually to one housing authority for substantially enhancing the lives of its residents.

The graduation ceremony was a party of hard-earned achievements, filled with joyous moments as the graduates received their certificates and were met with a resounding standing ovation from their loved ones and community dignitaries, including Cambria County Commissioner Thomas Chernisky and Cambria Regional Chamber of Commerce President Amy bradley.Representatives from U.S. Senator john Fetterman’s office were also in attendance, recognizing the program’s positive impact on the community. Linda Thomson, President of JARI, emphasized the crucial role played by both Senator Fetterman and former U.S. Senator Bob Casey in championing the program.

With two more cohorts already scheduled, the momentum built by this initiative shows no sign of slowing down. This is a testament to the program’s relevance, effectiveness, and the unwavering commitment of all involved to empower the residents of Johnstown and provide them with the tools they need to thrive.

Turning Challenges into Opportunities: How a community-Focused Approach is Transforming Lives in Johnstown

In johnstown, a bold initiative is transforming the landscape of education and chance. By bringing training directly into residents’ neighborhoods, a groundbreaking program is opening doors for individuals who once faced insurmountable barriers to learning.

“Bringing training to residents’ familiar surroundings has completely changed the paradigm,” one advocate shared. “Graduates like those we saw on Friday, who are now pursuing further certifications, are a testament to this shift. Another cohort member shared how navigating public transportation and childcare while working full-time was simply impossible. Now, thanks to this accessible program, that individual has secured good-paying tech training and dreams of a future in coding. Opportunities were opened up without compromising their personal necessities. This underscores the incredible benefit of bringing this training directly into our Johnstown neighborhoods,”

This community-focused strategy hasn’t gone unnoticed. The program has garnered national attention, earning a coveted spot in HUD’s best-practice portfolio. HUD Director Mike Horvath eloquently captures the program’s impact, stating, “This program helps people lift themselves up and get connected.It’s about seeing them, not just celebrating local successes, but elevating Johnstown’s successes nationally. It’s incredibly motivating.”

This success story is a testament to the power of collaboration. “It truly wouldn’t happen without collaboration,” emphasized the program’s champion. Key players like Debra Balog from the project’s team and Jeff Dick from PA CareerLink played pivotal roles, along with the crucial support of Senator Bob Casey Jr. who recognized the program’s potential and championed its funding.

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What types of partnerships are essential for workforce progress programs to effectively serve diverse learners?

Empowering Communities: A Conversation with Sarah Jones, Workforce Development Specialist

In today’s rapidly changing job market, workforce development programs play a crucial role in equipping individuals with the skills and opportunities thay need to succeed. We spoke with Sarah Jones, a seasoned Workforce Development Specialist, to delve into the challenges, innovations, and triumphs in this crucial field.

Q: What are some of the biggest challenges you face in your work?

A: One of the primary challenges is reaching individuals who are disconnected from traditional education and training pathways. We need to go beyond the conventional model and actively engage with populations who might face barriers like limited access to transportation, childcare, or lack of awareness about available resources.

Q: What innovative approaches are being taken to address these challenges?

A: We’re seeing a growing emphasis on community-based solutions. Bringing training directly to neighborhoods, partnering with local employers, and offering flexible learning options are just a few examples of how we’re adapting to the needs of diverse learners.

Q: Can you share an example of a accomplished initiative that has made a real difference in your community?

A: We launched a program that offered tech training to residents in underserved areas. We partnered with a local tech company to provide hands-on experience and job placement assistance. The results were remarkable! Many participants secured well-paying tech jobs, transforming their lives and contributing to the local economy.

Q: what is your vision for the future of workforce development?

A: I envision a future where workforce development is personalized, accessible, and responsive to the evolving needs of individuals and communities. Imagine a system where technology seamlessly connects learners with opportunities,where lifelong learning is embraced,and where everyone has the chance to thrive.